Sweetpotato plant named &#39;la13-81&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as ‘LA13-81’, is disclosed having disease resistance to both  Fusarium  wilt and  Streptomyces  soil rot; an orange flesh storage root and deep red-purple skin compared to ‘05-111’, and high yield characteristics.

Genus and species name: Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.

Variety denomination: ‘LA13-81’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sweetpotatoes, unlike Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), are not tuberpropagated plants. A “tuber” is a short, thickened portion of anunderground branch. Along a tuber “eyes” are found, each of whichcomprises a ridge bearing a scale-like leaf (analogous to a branch leaf)having minute meristematic buds in the axial of the leaf. By contrast,sweetpotato roots are developmentally and anatomically true roots,lacking meristematic buds, and are not derived from an undergroundbranch. Sweetpotatoes do not form tubers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a new and distinct variety of sweetpotato.This new and distinct sweetpotato variety demonstrates superior diseaseresistance to Fusarium wilt and exhibits a storage root with orangeflesh. It also demonstrates a deep red-purple skin in comparison to‘05-111’ with a light to medium rose skin.

This new and distinct sweetpotato variety is identified as ‘LA13-81’ andis characterized by a storage root with orange flesh, consistent shape,and a deep red-purple skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the novelvariety of sweetpotato identified as ‘LA13-81’.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the sweetpotatovariety identified as ‘05-111’.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the canopy biomass of the novel varietyof sweetpotato identified as ‘LA13-81’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

This new variety of sweetpotato, named ‘LA13-81’, resulted from anopen-pollinated cross performed in 2012 to the patented female parent‘Bonita’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,719 P3). The male parent was unknown.Five patented male parents (‘05-111’ patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,761P3; ‘Evangeline’ patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,710 P3; ‘LA06-52’patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,735 P3; ‘07-146’ U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,785 P3; ‘LA04-175’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,308 P3) were among thepotential pollen sources in the crossing nursery. ‘LA13-81’ wasdeveloped to provide a variety with characteristics similar to ‘05-111’,but with a red-purple skin. The female parent ‘Bonita’ has white fleshedstorage roots.

Plants of ‘LA13-81’ and variety ‘05-111’ can be differentiated. Abaxialand axial veins of ‘LA13-81’ are red purple [5 R (red) P (purple)(2/6)]. ‘05-111’ has no red hue to veins. Roots of ‘LA13-81’ are a deepred-purple skin and can be differentiated from the light tan of thefemale parent ‘Bonita’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,719 P3). Colorterminology used herein is in accordance with the MUNSELL® Book of Color(2003 Edition, Munsell Color, GretagMacbeth LLC, 617 Little BritainRoad, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553-6148). The color descriptions and colorillustrations are as nearly true as is reasonably possible. However, itis understood that both color and other phenotypic expressions describedherein may vary from plant to plant with differences in growth,environment and cultural conditions, without any change in the genotypeof the variety ‘LA13-81’.

‘LA13-81’ roots were stored during the winter in Chase, La. ‘LA13-81’was planted the following spring, resulting in approximately 8-10sprouts per root. Cuttings from the sprouts were transplantedsuccessfully for asexual reproduction in Chase, La. Asexual propagationof the new cultivar by cuttings has shown that the unique features ofthis new sweetpotato were stable and that the plant reproduced true totype in successive generations of asexual propagation. Plants describedherein were 90 days in age from planting in full sun field plantings.

FIG. 1 depicts the fleshy root form of the ‘LA13-81’ sweetpotato. Theskin is a deep red-purple and differs from the light to medium rose‘05-111’, both at harvest and after several months of storage as shownin Table 1. No eyes or longitudinal grooving is present. MUNSELL® Bookof Color values for skin and flesh for both ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’storage roots are shown in Table 1. The ‘05-111’ sweetpotato is depictedin FIG. 2. The skin for both ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ was smooth. The‘LA13-81’ cortex was 3.3 mm in depth and the color similar throughout.The flesh of ‘LA13-81’ is similar in comparison to ‘05-111’.

TABLE 1 Variable Variety Color Skin ‘LA13-81’ 7.5 R (red) P (purple) 3/8‘05-111’ 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 6/6 Flesh ‘LA13-81’   5 Y (yellow) R(red) 7/14 ‘05-111’ 2.5 Y (yellow) R (red) 7/8

FIG. 3 depicts the canopy biomass of ‘LA13-81’ sweetpotato. Stems of‘LA13-81’ are green and remain unchanged [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow)(6/8)] except for an underlying red-purple hue [2.5 R (red) P (purple)(5/6)]. The ‘LA13-81’ canopy biomass appears similar to ‘05-111’. The‘LA13-81’ canopy architecture was spreading and average (15-20) cm inheight from the soil surface and comparable to ‘05-111’. For ‘LA13-81’,three to four main vines arose from the main stem near the soil surface.The stem giving rise to these vines was 2 cm in diameter; the 3-4lateral vines were 294 cm in length with diameters of about 0.6 cm at 65cm from the base and diameters of about 0.8 cm at the first internode ofthe first fully developed leaf from the apex. The spread is comparableto ‘05-111’ and average. Seventeen lateral branches arose from each ofthe main vines. At the first internode from the apex, the internodelength was about 4 cm between the first and second fully developedleaves. Internode lengths for other sections of the vine averaged about4.1 cm. Unfolded immature leaves were green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow)(4/6)] for the adaxial and abaxial surface, which change nominally overone to two nodes from the apex for the adaxial surface to a slightlylighter green lower surface [5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/4)]. Anthocyaninpigmentation and pubescence were absent. Mature leaves at five nodesfrom the apex had an acute apex and mostly a cordate base and an entireleaf margin. Some leaves are shallow tricuspid. Mature leaves were about9.2 cm long and 9.4 cm wide. Adaxial and abaxial veins were in a pinnatevenation pattern and small in extent of purple [5 R (red) P (purple)(4/4)] pigmentation. Abaxial and adaxial surfaces were smooth. Thepetiole was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/6)]. A red-purple [5 R(red) P (purple) (2/6)] marking was at the base of the leaf junctionwith the petiole. The petiole was 8.2 cm long at five nodes from theapex, and 3.3 mm in diameter at 5 cm from the leaf junction. The dormantnodal meristem has slight red-purple marking [5 R (red) P (purple)(4/10)] which appears redder than the base of the leaf junction

A typical inflorescence of ‘LA13-81’ displayed one cluster of three-fiveflowers per peduncle. Peduncles were green [10 G (green) Y (yellow)(5/8)], about 9 cm long, and about 3 mm in diameter. Individual flowerswere about 3 cm long from the base of the calyx, and the corolla was 3cm wide at the opening. The fused flower petals formed a pentagonalpattern with smooth edges. The inner throat of the corolla was purple[7.5 R (red) P (purple) (4/6)]. The inner and outer limbs of the corolla(corollas outermost area, distal from the calyx) were light purple [10 P(purple) (7/4)]. The five sepals comprising the calyx were elliptic witha cordate apex and was green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/6)]; three ofthese sepals were about 12 mm long and 4.7 mm wide. Two other sepals(interspersed) were about 10 mm long and 3 mm wide. Sepal margins wereentire. Stigmata were about 1.2 cm long and light purple [7.5R (red) P(purple) (8/4)] at the base before fading. Five stamens were inferior tothe stigmata. A slight fragrance was present. Mature seed capsules areround and 6.3 mm in length and width, and seeds are 3.5 mm round. Oneblack [neutral 1.75] seed is produced on average per capsule.

EXAMPLE 1 Tests Conducted

To confirm that ‘LA13-81’ was a new variety, controlled tests (e.g.,pathogen responses and yield) were conducted in Baton Rouge, La.‘05-111’ was selected for comparison because of its importance incommercial United States orange flesh sweetpotato acreage. Diseases thatcommonly affect the growth of sweetpotatoes were selected to test forpathogen responses in both varieties. Scions of ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’reacted similarly to most diseases evaluated in the controlled tests.‘LA13-81’ was resistant and ‘05-111’ was intermediate to resistant forStreptomyces soil rot caused by Streptomyces ipomoeae (Person & W. J.Martin) Waksman & Henrici. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were resistant toFusarium wilt or stem rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. f sp.batatas (Wollenw.) Snyd. & Hans. ‘LA13-81’ was intermediate and ‘05-111’was resistant to Rhizopus soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehr.ex. Fr.) Lind. ‘LA13-81’ was intermediate and ‘05-111’ was susceptibleto bacterial root rot caused by Dickeya dadantii Samson et al. asmeasured by postharvest inoculation of storage roots.

Nematode reproduction was measured in greenhouse tests. ‘LA13-81’ and‘05-111’ were very susceptible to race 3 of the southern root-knotnematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White 1919) Chitwood 1949.

‘LA13-81’ is drought and heat tolerant like ‘05-111’ and succumbs todeath at freezing like ‘05-111’.

‘LA13-81’ did not appear to show any novel insect resistance. ‘LA13-81’has consistently ranked lower in banded cucumber beetle (Diabroticabalteata LeConte) in comparison to ‘05-111’ in 2017 and 2018 trials.

To determine yield production, complete-block trials using three to fourreplications of ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ each were conducted in 2016 and2017 in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, California and SouthCarolina likely to produce ‘LA13-81’. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ sweetpotatoplants were transplanted in randomized complete-block trials at 31 cmspacings. Each block/plot was fertilized with approximately 250 poundsper acre of a mixed fertilizer comprising 13% N, 13% P₂O₅, and 13% K₂O.‘LA13-81’ was compared to ‘05-111’ at transplanting dates in May-June.Average yields were measured for the following grades of roots: U.S. #1(51-89 mm in diameter, 76-229 mm long); Canner (25-51 mm in diameter,51-178 mm long); and Jumbo (larger than U.S. #1 in diameter, length orboth, and without objectionable defects). A typical marketable root of‘LA13-81’ was 180-190 mm long, 60-70 mm in diameter, with mostlyelliptic shape. The base or distal end tended to be more elongated incomparison to slightly rounder apex (proximal end). U.S. #1 rootstypically weighed 150-190 g.

A mid-season transplanting date trial was conducted at Senatobia, Miss.in 2017. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were transplanted on May 24, 2017 andharvested on Sep. 19, 2017 (118 days after planting). Average yields,measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT·ha⁻¹), for ‘LA13-81’ and‘05-111’ are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1^(†)Canners† Jumbos† TMY^(‡†) ‘LA13-81’ 58.49a 21.24a 0.00a 79.45a ‘05-111’32.26a 16.87a 4.15a 52.22a ^(†)Average yields in MT · ha⁻¹ of varietiesfollowed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P < 0.05)according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMY^(‡) = total marketableyield

A mid-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Wynne, Ark.in 2017. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were transplanted on Jun. 6, 2017 andharvested on Oct. 26, 2017 (121 days after planting). Average yields,measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT·ha⁻¹), for ‘LA13-81’ and‘05-111’ are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1†Canners^(†) Jumbos^(†) TMY^(‡†) ‘LA13-81’ 23.53a 20.45a  4.26a 48.19a‘05-111’ 24.42a 10.81a 26.22b 61.41b ^(†)Average yields in MT · ha⁻¹ ofvarieties followed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P <0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMY^(‡) = totalmarketable yield

An early-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Windsor,S.C. in 2017. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were transplanted on May 18, 2017and harvested on Nov. 11, 2017 (174 days after planting). Averageyields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT.·ha⁻¹), for ‘LA13-81’and ‘05-111’ are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Early-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1^(†)Canners^(†) Jumbos^(†) TMY^(‡†) ‘LA13-81’ 35.07a 10.65a 0a 45.72a‘05-111’ 29.92a 24.26a 0a 54.12a ^(†)Average yields in MT · ha⁻¹ ofvarieties followed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P <0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMY^(‡) = totalmarketable yield

A mid-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at Forest, La.in 2016. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were transplanted on May 31, 2016 andharvested on Oct. 29, 2016 (122 days after planting). Average yields,measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT·ha⁻¹), for ‘LA13-81’ and‘05-111’ are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Mid-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1^(†)Canners^(†) Jumbos^(†) TMY^(‡†) ‘LA13-81’ 22.13a 10.98a 1.29a 34.4a‘05-111’ 22.36a 13.78a 7.68a 43.82a ^(†)Average yields in MT · ha⁻¹ ofvarieties followed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P <0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMY^(‡) = totalmarketable yield

An early-season transplanting date trial was also conducted atLivingston, Calif. in 2016. ‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ were transplanted onMay 18, 2016 and harvested on Oct. 14, 2017 (149 days after planting).Average yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare (MT·ha⁻¹), for‘LA13-81’ and ‘05-111’ are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Early-season transplant date yield trial. Selection US#1^(†)Canners^(†) Jumbos^(†) TMY^(‡†) ‘LA13-81’ 26.63a 9.77a 15.77a 52.16a‘05-111’ 29.09a 7.80b 10.95a 47.84a ^(†)Average yields in MT · ha⁻¹ ofvarieties followed by a common letter do not differ significantly (P <0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test. TMY^(‡) = totalmarketable yield

As shown in Tables 2-6, ‘LA13-81’ produced yields comparable to ‘05-111’in regional trials at various planting dates. Yield in comparison to‘05-111’ in heavier silt loam soil (Table 5) were similar to outcomes inlighter, sandy loam soils (Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6). Replicated plots atother farms and on station have shown ‘LA13-81’ has consistent yieldsfor early, middle, or late season plantings. Yield declines are withinnorms in poor environments. ‘LA13-81’ had harvestable rootsapproximately 115-120 days after planting, which is typical developmenttime for sweetpotatoes and comparable to ‘05-111’. The yield of Jumbograde is indicative of earliness and ‘LA13-81’ was similar to the jumboyield of ‘05-111’. In total, this data reflects consistent high yieldcharacteristics for ‘LA13-81’. ‘LA13-81’ has a storage life and shippingquality comparable to ‘05-111’.

‘LA13-81’ should be a valuable commercial sweetpotato variety. ‘LA13-81’equals yield for US#1 and total marketable yield in comparison to‘05-111’ and represents a novel skin color useful in marketing as aspecialty type red in premium retail environments.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ipomoea batatas plant named‘LA13-81’ as described and illustrated in the specification herein.